Germany's domestic intelligence agency warned on Wednesday that the war between Israel and Hamas is creating new alliances among the country's antisemitic groups and raising the risk of attacks.
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"Antisemitism and hostility towards Israel are the connecting elements among Islamists, German and Turkish left- and right-extremists and people belonging to extremist Palestinian organizations," said the agency's president, Thomas Haldenwang. "The common concept of Israel as an enemy creates old and new connections between some of these players that in the future could lead in some cases to stronger cooperation," he added.
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German police special forces during raid on suspected Hezbollah affiliated sites
(Photo: Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters)
However, the left-wing and right-wing extremist scenes are internally divided between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian positions, with some right-wing extremists using the current situation to agitate against Muslims and migrants, according to the agency.
Security authorities are facing parallel crises and threat situations that have been intensified by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent fighting, according to Haldenwang.
He spoke of a new quality to threats by Islamists to carry out attacks in the West that has recently emerged. "The danger is real and higher than it has been for a long time," said Haldenwang.
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Pro Palestinian demonstration in Berlin earlier this month
( Photo: Annegret Hilse / Reuters)
Security authorities are working "at full speed" to ensure the safety of Jewish people and Israeli institutions, as well as major events, he added.